After Effects Flickering Light

[Fredmania]

Hey everyone,

I have a question about an animation I'm trying to accomplish in AE. I have a layer that I need to make flicker on and off. I don't need any additional effects, like change of lighting around the layer, but this layer just needs to go from fully visible to completely transparent back and forth in a quick flicker motion. How can I do this? Thanks!

[simsaladimbamba]

You could either use the first expression here (http://www.motionscript.com/mastering-expressions/random-3.html) or try the "wiggle" expression with the transparency channel.
wiggle (5,100)
The "5" represents the times per second the layer flickers, the "100" is the maximum value (transparency at 100).

Or if you want a constant off and on, keyframe it for one cycle and copy the keyframes, either from T100 toT0 or from T0 to T100*.

*T100 = transparency at 100, T0 = transparency at 0.

[Fredmania]

That first one looks great! I'm sorry for such a basic question, but how do I apply that to the layer?

[simsaladimbamba]

That first one looks great! I'm sorry for such a basic question, but how do I apply that to the layer?

You select the layer in the timeline, then access the transparency channel, OPTION click on the keyframe icon (looks like a stopwatch) and then insert the text into the now active text input field, then click somewhere else, as pressing ENTER does not work for applying the expression, just for making a break in the code.

[Fredmania]

Thank you SO much. One final question (another very basic one), these layers are PNGs. How do I access the transparency channel for PNGs?

[simsaladimbamba]

Thank you SO much. One final question (another very basic one), these layers are PNGs. How do I access the transparency channel for PNGs?

While in the Timeline, press "T" (for transparency), when the layer you want to modify is selected.

Also have a look at some introductory tutorials to learn AE more effectively.
VideoCoPilot, AEtuts+ and Lynday and even YouTube are good sources for video tutorials.
You can also look at the manual/HELP for help.

[Fredmania]

Thank you, I will definitely do that. I really appreciate your help!

[Kevin Monahan]

Thank you, I will definitely do that. I really appreciate your help!

Here are some suggestions for learning After Effects:
http://blogs.adobe.com/toddkopriva/2010/01/getting-started-with-after-eff.html